Characteristics of exotoxins and endotoxins

CHARACTERISTICS OF ENDOTOXINS AND EXOTOXINS

Feature

Exotoxins

Endotoxins

Chemical nature

Protein

Lipopolysaccharide

Heat stability

Heat labile

Withstands autoclaving, heat stable

Immunogenicity

Readily converted to toxoid and neutralized by antitoxin

Can not form toxoid, neutralization with antitoxin not possible or only with difficulty

Mechanism of action

Each toxin has a highly characteristic action

All act similarly

Lethal dose

Small

Large

Last modified: Sunday, 4 December 2011, 5:44 AM